The Hindu Business Line : Three-pronged strategy to promote biotech in AP

THE State Government has evolved a three-pronged strategy to promote biotechnology. These include creation of world-class infrastructure, promotion of institutions to support bio-ecosystem, and provision of investment-friendly operating environment for industries, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, said.

Addressing a gathering of industrialists, scientists, academicians and policymakers at BioAsia-2005, the global bio-business summit here on Friday, Dr Reddy said the Government would continue to play its role of a facilitator and a trusted partner of the industry in the path of enterprise and innovation.

Providing details on the initiatives, the Chief Minister said while entrepreneurs could set up their R&D facilities at the ICICI Knowledge Park, they could establish production facilities at the Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Biotech Park. The SP Biotech park has seen over 17 projects taking up space and more than 75 per cent of the phase-I and 50 per cent of the phase-II were already sold out.

"Given the success of the venture, the Government is now planning to provide additional land for the development of phase-III of the SP Biotech Park," Dr Reddy said.

Pointing out similar success story of the ICICI Knowledge Park, he said more than 14 companies have already occupied the first two phases. "Seeing the overwhelming response, phase-III will be commissioned very soon."

On the biotech incubation centre in SP Biotech Park being set up in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology, Dr Reddy said the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology would provide the required scientific and technical inputs for the incubation centre. The State and the Union Government are jointly funding the project, estimated at an outlay of Rs 25 crore.

Approval letter: Dr Krishna M. Ella, Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL), the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical biotechnology products company, received the Korean Food & Drugs Administration (K-FDA) approval letter from the Chief Minister at the BioAsia-2005 Summit on Friday.

BBIL was given the K-FDA certificate for its human vaccines manufacturing facility located at Genome Valley in the city outskirts.

According to Dr Krishna Ella, the approval enables the company attain a level playing field and help reposition its entry into the global markets in the sphere of injectibles. "Bharat Biotech can now manufacture and export human vaccines to Korea, which is one of the regulated markets in the world of pharmaceuticals," he said. Other regulated markets across the globe include the US, Europe and Japan.

Addressing the entrepreneurs, scientists, academicians and policymakers at the BioAsia-2005, he said the company was well prepared for the post-WTO regime. It has to its credit 21 patents, of which seven were own, six acquired and eight through alliances.

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